- published: 21 May 2016
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The Stands were an English band from Liverpool.
The Stands were formed by Howie Payne in 2002. There was no fixed line up in the band originally and local musicians Martyn Campbell (Richard Ashcroft, Rain) Sean Payne (Zutons) Russel Pritchard (Zutons) and Robby Stevenson (Hokum Clones) all contributed to early shows. Payne recruited local acoustic performer Steve Pilgrim to play drums and Luke Thomson on Guitar. The trio along with Martin Cambell on Bass recorded a selection of demos at Parr St Studios in Liverpool. Payne reportedly financed the demos by roadying for The Zutons on the first UK tour.
In September 2002 the ITV program This Is Music was in Liverpool to film bands who played The Bandwagon night at The Zanzibar Club in the city. Originally The Stands were not on the bill until the rest of the bands appearing petitioned the producers of the show to add The Stands to the Program. The Stands were added to the program and performed All Years Leaving. Russ Pritchard (Zutons) played Bass. It was at this show that Dean Ravera approached the band and asked to play bass in the band. Ravera joined the band a week later and the band were invited to support The Coral on the autumn UK tour.
LIfe is never fair, man will let you down
It's how you face your obstacles, react to things around
And I will not stand still, I'll hold my head up high
My heart is big, my passion strong, you cannot stop this drive
I know you though that this battle had been won
But I will reassure you that this battle's just begun
Get out of my way, today is the day that I am breaking free
From all of your thoughts and all of your words that tried to bring down
me - You should have thought long and you should have thought hard
before you tossed me out - 'Cause this old Tulsa boy who plays the keys
and writes these melodies is gonna rock this town
Let my life speak loud to all of you around
No matter what they say to you, they cannot hold you down
Your dreams and goals are bigger than your opposition's words
So brush 'em off and forget them, it's time to go change the world
I know you though that this battle had been won
But I will reassure you that this battle's just begun
Get out of my way, today is the day that I am breaking free
From all of your thoughts and all of your words that tried to bring down
me - You should have thought long and you should have thought hard
before you tossed me out - 'Cause this old Tulsa boy who plays the keys